Fatal motorcycle crash in Ragley

Monday

Sep 11, 2017 at 8:39 AM

A DeRidder man is dead following a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle on Sunday September 10th.

Sgt. James Anderson

On September 10, 2017, shortly after 8:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle on US Highway 171 at Magnolia Church Road in the community of Ragley. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2015 Ford Expedition was traveling west on Magnolia Church Road when the driver, 36-year-old Rebecca Gill of Ragley, failed to yield the right-of-way and drove into the path of a motorcycle that was traveling north on US 171. The motorcycle, operated by 44-year-old William Vanaernam of DeRidder, struck the side of the Expedition causing him to be ejected and fatally injured.

Vanaernam, who was wearing a novelty helmet that was not approved by the US Department of Transportation, was pronounced dead at the scene. Gill was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.

Gill was charged with failure to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign and illegal window tint.

Routine toxicology samples were obtained from the drivers. The crash remains under investigation.

Dark window tint on vehicles can make it more difficult to see other traffic, especially at night. Louisiana state law requires a minimum light transmission of 40% on front side windows, 25% on rear side windows, and 12% on back glass. Additionally, the front windshield may only have tint applied to the topmost five inches. Drivers of vehicles that do not meet these standards and who have not been granted a medical or security exemption from the state may be ticketed and fined. More information may be found online at www.lsp.org.